Sheet-metal manufacture.



P. M. VOGAN.

v SHEET METAL MANUFACTURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1911.

1,056,072. Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

w MAMA A A z 7 1 W W Y Y/ 2 A JAN AJAX MANN JAM 2 1 W W\ MW I? 2 V KW WV) U V? A F. M. VOGAN.

SHEET METAL MANUFACTURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1911.-

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gig/ 0 F. M. VOGAN.

SHEET METAL MANUFACTURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13,1911. 1,05 ,072,, Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

avwwwot Fran/t (709mm Moi/" A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. VOGAN, 0F C ANTON, OHIO.

SHEET-METAL MANUFACTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

Application filed May 13, 1911. Serial No. 627,060.

strength are imparted to sheet metal by providing it with depressionsand elevations so as to throw certain portions of the body of the, sheetinto position to withstand strains and stresses in a manner which cannotbe accomplished by the use of ordinary sheet metal.

j The uses to which my invented sheet met-a1 manufacturemay be put aremany and somewhat varied, some of the important uses however being themaking of temporary molds for structural concrete work and the buildingof fireproof structures and the like as will hereinafter more fullyappear.

The objects of my invention are to provide a sheet metal manufacturepossessing new and useful features of structure, to provide a sheet ofmetal with such a combination of depressions and elevations as to makethe same capable of withstanding strains and stresses in variousdirections and capable of wide and diversified use by reason of itspeculiar adaptability to many purposes for which ordinary sheet metal isbut poorly or not at all adapted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manufacture which may besold and handled commercially on a large scale and may be used either ina temporary or permanent manner in the building of various structures,the strengthening depressions and elevations being so formed as to beadapted to render the use of the material more convenient and at thesame time to give the molded surfaces of concrete structures and thelike a pleasing and practical finish without making it necessary to goover the surface for the purpose of finishlng it.

These objects, together with many other objects 'which will be apparentto those skilled in the art, I attain by the manufacture illustrated inthe accompanying drawing's, although my invention may be embodied inother forms, the form illustrated being chosen by way of example.

In the drawings I have illustrated not only the manufacture itself but afew of the practical uses to which it may be put.

Figure 1 is a face view of a sheet of metal embodying my invent-ion.Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is asectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a sectional view onthe .line 4-'4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 ofFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my invented manufacture in usein the construction of a concrete fireproof floor and ceiling withportions being broken away to more fully 'disclose the details ofconstruction. Fig. 7 is a perspective view, with parts broken away andparts in section, of my invented manufacture in use as a temporary formfor the construction of a concrete arch. Fig. 8 is a perspective viewillustrating my improved manufacture in use in the construction ofculverts and the like. Fig. 9 is a perspec tiveview, parts being brokenaway, of my invented manufacture in use as a fireproof wall. Fig. 10 isa vertical sectional View on the line 1010 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is anenlarged fragmentary perspective view of the bottom holding strip shownin Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1212 ofFig. 9. Fig. 13 is a perspective view with parts broken awayillustrating my invented manufacture in use in the construction ofconcrete columns and the like. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary transversesectional view of the metallic portions of the structure shown in Fig.13.

Throughout the several views similar reference numerals indicate similarparts.

In the following description the sheet of metal embodying my inventionwill be considered as havinga face side and a rear side and thedescription, except where otherwise specifically mentioned, will havereference to the face side of the sheet. It will be understood as thedescription proceeds that in some cases the face side of the sheet willbe the side of most important use, while in other cases the rear sidewill be the side of most important use. It will also be understood thatthe "sheet of metal from which the sub-sections.

my invented manufacture is formed should as possible. While many formsof elevations be of uniform thickness throughout its extent and that anyelevation or depression on one side will have its correspondingdepression or elevation on the other side. With this understanding itwill be noted from an inspection of Fig. 1 that the sheet is, generallyspeaking, divided into a plurality of sections, such as designated by A,B, C and D, all of said sections being alike. Considering one of saidsections it should be noted that it comprises frame portions 1 lying inthe normal plane of the sheet, said frame portions extendingcontinuously transversely and being connected to the body of the sectionin question by integral depressed partially interrupted minor channelportions 2. The \spaced main ribs 3, lying in the normal plane of thesheet, extend from the inner edge of the minor channel portion on oneside of the section to the cor responding inner edge of the minorchannel portion on the other side of the section. It will thus beunderstood that the main ribs 3 and the frame portions 1 serve togenerally divide each section into a plurality of sub-sections, theminor channel portions 2, however, intervening between the ends of themain ribs 3 and the frame portions 1. The sub-sections of the section Bin Fig. 1 are indicated by the letters a, b, c, d, e, f and g. All ofthe sub-sections are alike, but

it will be noted that the sheet in Fig. 1 terminates at the left-handedge in line with themain ribs of the sections and at the right-handedge in line with the centers of This is however a characteristic of theindividual sheet shown and is not an essentialfeature of the invention.

Each sub-section is provided with a main depression .4, the walls ofWhich are preferably cylindric, the conformation of the wall of eachdepression being such that the axis of the cylinder of which itmay becon. sidered a, part would be parallel with the main ribs 3. From aninspection of Fi s. 4 and 5 it will be seen that the main (Icpressions 4are comparatively deep and at the ends of said depressions adjacent theframe portions 1 it is important, from a practical point of View, totake up the metal gradually from the considerably stretched portion inthe main depression to the unstretched portion of the sheet at the edgesof the minor channel portions. Anyabrupt termination of the'maindepressions 4 at this point would seriously weaken the sheet and at suchpoints I therefore prefer to rovide some sort of configuration inclu ingelevations and depressions to gradually take up the stretch of the metaland distribute the strain to the adjacent portions of the sheetincluding the main ribs 3 and the frame portions 1 in as practical amanner and depressions at such points may be employed I have shown inthe sheet illustrated in Fig. 1 a configuration comprising threetapering convex flutes, a middle flute 5 and side flutes 6 forming agodroon of artistic appearance and at the same time gradually taking inthe stretch of the metal from the deeper portion of the main depressionand carrying the same, diminishing it, and distributing it in the bodyof the sheet adjacent the frame portion 1. It should be here clearlyunderstood that while it is desirable to have this portion of myinvented manufacture formed in such way as to produce an artisticeffect, its practical importance is greater than its importance as anornament and other configurations in the sheet metal may be substitutedfor that shown and described. In the form described the middle flute atthe end of each main depression runs somewhat into the minor channelportion 2, not destroying said channel portion but partiallyinterrupting it. This however is a characteristic not essential to theinvention.

Intermediate the frame portions 1 of adjacent sections is located themajor channel portion 7 which consists of an integral depressed roundedgroove of considerable depth and adapted not only to strengthen thesheet transversely but also to provide a definite bending line forbending the sheet transversely when it is desired to do so in using thesame for certain purposes hereinafter to be more fully described.

It willnow be understood that, considering the face side of the sheet noportion of the same is raised above the original normal plane of thesheet metal from which the manufacture is formed and that the frame,portions 1, main ribs 3 and the higher portions at the outer ends of theflutes 5 and 6 lie in said normal plane, the remaining portions of thesheet being depressed more or less according to location.

A sheet metal manufacture of the character described having beenprovided attention is directed to the following description of the usesto which the same may be lit.

p In Fig. 6 is illustrated my invented sheet metal manufacture in "useas a temporary form for the construction of a concrete fireproof floorand ceiling. It. will be noted that the I-beams 8, the expanded metalreinforcing material 9 and the floor 10 all of usual constructionareprovided. In setting sheet at 12 is formed along one of the majorchannel portions, which permits the sheet to be bent along a true lineto form the concrete reinforced girder 13 around the I- beam. In suchconstruction, if desired, the main ribs 3 and main depressions 4 whichare located at the sides and on the underside of the said girder 13 areshorter than the standard lengths of such ribs and depressions in themain body of the sheet. It will be also noted that along the line at14.- where the sheet is bent oppositely from the bend at 12 the majorchannel portion is bent outwardly from the face side of the sheet ratherthan inwardly as in the usual construction. Intermediate the girders thestandard form of sheet may be used and the various sheets going to makeup the entire form should be so arranged with reference to each other asto produce a continuous and unbroken decoration of the concrete ceilingwhen the sheet metal form is removed. In Fig. 6 I have shown at 15 aportion of the finished ceiling as it appears when the con crete has setand the form has been removed. It will be noted that said ceiling isprovided with elevations and depressions corresponding to the elevationsand depressions formed in the sheet metal. By reason of the fact thatthe surface of the sheet metal is comparatively smooth it is unnecessaryto put an additional finish on the surface of concrete work thus molded,thus saving a great amount of time, labor and expense. It should benoted also that the forms made from my invented manufacture may be usedagain and again, it being unnecessary to discard them after use.

In Fig. 7 is shown my invented manufacture in use as a temporary formfor the construction of a concrete arch. When so used a wooden or othersupporting frame 16 is provided and on said frame and running lengthwisewith the archway are arranged the round rods or tubes 17. Sheets of myinvented manufacture may be used for the making of a form for the sidesof the archway as shown in a fragmentary way at 18. The lowermost of therods 17 should be arranged at the line where the side walls meet thearch proper and one of the major channel portions 7 should be arrangedupon said rod, the curvature of said channel being approximately thesame as the curvature of the rod. The sheet may be bent over as shown inFig. 7 said sheet bending along the line of the major channel portionand as the sheet extends throughout the curvature of the arch it may beslightly bent over each of the rods 17 in succession, which rods arelocated in the various major channel portions, thus producing a neat andsymmetrical curve, the sheet metal being supported upon the rods 17 andsuch bending as is necessary inthe sheet being definitely located at andlimited-to the various majbr channel portions as will be understood froman inspection of-Fig. 7. At the end of each sheet another sheet may bejoined thereto, care sponding to the elevations. and depressions v inthe sheet metal.

If desired, in such arches as illustrated in Fig. 7, the end of the archas well as the inher sides may be cast or formed against molds made frommy invented manufacture. In such instances it is desirable that thesheets for making said molds at the end be provided with radiallydisposed major channel portions as shown at 20, the radius of thecurvature of the arch bein employed as a guide for the positioning 0 thevarious major channel portions as will be readily understood from aninspection of'Fig. 7. It should be here noted that my inventedmanufacture when put to such use as the construction of a concrete archas just described not only gives to the concrete surface a finishedappearance but the arrangement of elevations and depressions is such asto make a rigid form capable of withstanding the pressure or weight ofthe concrete without giving way under the strain so as to be. thrown outof true alinement or to produce an uneven finished surface. This couldnot be accomplished by the use of ordinary sheet metal without providingit with a support practically throughout its entire area.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a culvert produced by the aid of my inventedconstruction. 7 In the making of such a culvert I employ an inner form2l'preferably made of plain sheet metal having outwardly pressedintegral ribs 22 running lengthwise with respect to the culvert.Connected to the inner form 21 are a number of spacers 23, more clearlyillustrated in perspective in Fig. 13. These spacers consist of stripsof sheet metal bent into V-shape and having their bases connected to theform 21, their pointed ends extending outwardly. Around the inner formthus provided withspacers is arranged the outer form 24 composed of aplurality of curved sections provided with integral outstanding flanges25 which may be connected together as by bolts or rivets 26. It will beunderstood that the sections comprising the outer form are preferablyspecially made on a drop press or otherwise, so as to possess theircurvature from the time of first making, and such sections beingnestable for shipment in somewhat the same manner as are the sections ofnestable sheet metal culvert pipe now commonly in use. The sectionscomprising the outer form 24 however involve the essential principles ofmy invented construction and are provided with main ribs 3, maindepressions 4, frame portions 1, minor channel portions 2, major channelportions 7 and the flutes 5 and 6 as hereinbefore described. Thesect-ions are made with their front faces outwardly disposed and thepreferable arrangement for ordinary sizes of culverts is therefore onesection arranged at the bottom as shown in Fig. 8 and two or moresections extending up over the top portion of the culvert. The sectionsat the top are provided with cut away portions 27, said cut awayportions being located between adjacent ribs 3 and providing a pouringaperture. When the outer fornris arranged about the inner form andproperly con nected concrete in sufliciently thin plastic conditionshould be poured into the space between the inner and outer formsthrough thebutaway portions. Suitable provision being made to preventthe concrete thus poured in from running out at the ends between theinner and outer forms, as will be readily understood by those skilled inthe art, the concrete will fill up the space between the said inner andouter forms and whenset will form an integral concrete culvert such asshown in Fig. 8 provided with an'internal metallic lining constituted bythe inner form and provided externally with ribs, depressions and theother features of relief of the outer form. When the concrete hassufficiently set the upper sections of' the outer form may be removed ifdesired, leaving the lower section in place, or the sections may remainto aid in strength ening the culvert if desired. The concrete being castthus with external ribs and depressions will possess greater strengththan if the same mass of concrete had been cast with a plain externalsurface, thus giving the-maximum strength with the minimum of material.

In Fig. 9 I have shown sheets of my invented manufacture in use in theconstruction of fireproof walls for buildings and the .like. When suchuse is to be made of the manufacture a bottom holding strip formed Ifrom sheet metal, suchas shown in fragmentary perspective in Fig. 11, isarranged upon-the floor and fastened in place by any well known means.Two sheets of-my invented manufacture are then arranged preferably withtheir rear sides turned toward each other and their face sides outwardlydisposed, as shown in Fig. 9, and if desired structure of the wall andas will be noted from an inspection of Figs. 10 and 12 the concrete willbe permitted to flow between the sheets producing vertical concrete barsor ribs at the points where the main ribs 3 of the two sheets'areopposite each other and horizontal connecting bars or ribs where theframe portions 1, channel portions 2, channel portions 7 and flutes 5and 6 are arranged opposite each other. When the concrete has set thewall will be found to be very rigid and substantial while the amount ofconcrete employed by this method of construction will be inconsiderableas compared with the amount necessarily used in other methods ofconstruction.

In Figs. 13 and 14 I have illustrated the method by which concretecolumns and the like may be constructed by the use of my inventedmanufacture. These columns are formed in somewhat the same manner as theculverts such as illustrated in Fi 8, a similar inner form 21 beingemployed, said form being made of sheet metal and provided with thefolded ribs 22 and spacers 23 as hereinbefore described. It Wlll benoted that the inner forms 21 may be made in quantities at the factory,being merely provided with the folded ribs 22 and shipped flat, beingbent into cylindrical form, the meeting edges fastened and the spacers23 being attached at the place of erection. An outer form 24 composed ofsections similar to those employed in the construction of the culvert inFig. 8 are then arranged around the outer side of the inner form, beingspaced therefrom by the spacers 23 and bolts or rivets 26 being employedto connect the outstanding flanges 25 as before. Concrete insufficiently plastic condition is then poured into the space between theinner form and the outer form and allowed to set,

whereupon'the sections of the outer form may be removed, leaving anouter surface provided -with elevations and depressions corresponding tothe elevations and depressions of the outer form. In Fig. 13 I haveillustrated a portion of the outer form broken away to show the neatappearance of the outer surface of the finished column. I have alsoshown a portion of the concrete of the column broken away to more fullyillustrate the inner form 21 and a portion of said inner form brokenaway to more fully disclose the interior thereof. It will of course beunderstood that the inner form will remain after the column has beenmade. Fig. 14 illustrates how the concrete will be distributed back ofthe main ribs 3 and main depressions 4, said main ribs producingthickened concrete ribs by which arrangement the full structural valueof the concrete is obtained with the minimum amount of concretenecessary in the making of the column.

Practical uses of my invented manufacture are so numerous as to make itentirely impracticable to name them or suggest them all in the presentspecification but the five examples hereinbefore submitted will serve toillustrate the universal importance and practical utility of theinvention. Whether in plain sheets or in the construction of forms forceilings, for arches, for culverts, for walls, for columns or any of theother numerous structures for which the manufacture is peculiarlyadapted said manufacture will be found to possess peculiarly desirablecharacteristics and possess rigidity and strength in a high degree andbe capable of being bent, formed, fashioned and worked to greatadvantage without sacrificing the important qualities produced by thepeculiar formation of elevations and depressions which is the key to mynew and useful invented manufacture.

I claim:

l. A manufacture comprising a sheet of metal provided with frameportions and main ribs lying in the normal plane of the sheet, saidframe portions spaced from each other, said ribs spaced from each otherand extending transversely with reference to said frame portions, minordepressed channel portions lying intermediate said frame portions andthe ends of said main ribs, and strengthening depressed portions boundedby said minor depressed channel portions and main ribs.

2. A manufacture comprising a sheet of metal provided with a pluralityof sections, said sections being defined by transversely extending frameportions lying in the nor mal plane of the sheet and arranged upon thetwo sides of each section and an integral major channel portion forminga depressed groove intermediate adjacent frame portions of two adjacentsections and the body of each section provided with stiffening depressions.

3. A manufacture comprising a sheet of metal provided with a pluralityof sections, each section comprising continuous, transversely extendingframe portions lying in the normal plane of the sheet, integral,depressed minor channel portions lying inter mediate said frame portionsand the body of the section, the body of each section provided with aplurality of sub-sections, spaced main ribs lying in the normal plane ofthe sheet and extending from the inner edge of the minor channel portionon one side of the section to the inner edge of the corresponding minorchannel portion on the other side of the section, each sub-sectionprovided with a main depression, elevations and depressions intermediatesaid main ribs at the two ends of each main depression, said elevationsand depressions adapted to gradually take up the stretch of the metal inthe main depression and distribute the same to the adjacent portionsincluding the main ribs and frame portions, and major channel portionscomprising integral depressed grooves intermediate and parallel withadjacent frame portions of two adjacent sections.

4:. A manufacture comprising a sheet of metal provided with a pluralityof sections, each section comprising continuous, trans versely extendingframe portions lying in the normal plane of the sheet, integral,depressed, minor channel portions lying intermediate said frame portionsand the body of the section, the body of each section provided with aplurality of sub-sections, spaced main ribs lying in the normal plane ofthe sheet and extending from the inner edge of the minor channel portionon one side of the section to the inner edge of the correspond ing minorchannel portion on the other side of the section, each sub-sectionprovided with a main depression having cylindric walls, the axis ofcylindricity being disposed parallel with said main ribs and flutesintermediate said main ribs at the two ends of each main depression,said flutes taking up the stretch of the metal in. the main depressionand distributing the same into the adjacent portions including the mainribs and frame portions, and major channel portions comprising integral,depressed grooves intermediate and parallel with adjacent frame portlonsof two adjacent sections, said major channel portions being adapted topermit the sheet to be bent along said channel portions and to defineand control the line of bending, as described.

5. A manufacture comprising a sheet of metal provided with a pluralityof sections, each section comprising continuous, transversely extendingframe portions lying in the normal plane of the sheet, the body of eachsection arranged between adjacent frame portions and provided with aplurality of sub-sections, spaced main ribs lying in the normal plane ofthe sheet and extending at right-angles to said frame portlons, eachsub-section provided with a mam depression, and elevations anddepressions intermediate said main ribs at the two ends of have hereuntosubscribed my name in the each main depresscilon, said elevations andpresence of two witnesses. depressions adapte to take up the stretch 4of the metal in the main depression and FRANK VOGAN' 6 distribute thesame to the adjacent main ribs Witnesses:

and frame portions. IRENE LU'rz,

In testimony that I claim the above, I WILLIAM H. MILLER.

